Senior Systems Engineer I​/II - Secret Clearance

Location: Chantilly, VA

Rocket Lab is an end‑to‑end space company delivering responsive launch services, complete spacecraft design and manufacturing, payloads, satellite components, and more – all with the goal of opening access to space. Our rockets and satellites enable some of the most ambitious and vital space missions globally, supporting scientific exploration, Earth observation, climate‑change mitigation, national security, and new technology demonstrations.

Our Electron rocket has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered more than 230 satellites to orbit, while we work to develop Neutron, our upcoming medium‑lift, reusable launch vehicle for larger constellation deployment. The Space Systems business designs and builds an extensive line of satellites, payloads, and their components, including spacecraft selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars and components used on the James Webb Space Telescope.

Our Space Systems team builds everything from complete spacecraft to precision payloads and components such as solar panels, flight software, star trackers, optical systems, separation systems, radios, and more. They have enabled more than 1,700 missions across interplanetary exploration, in‑space manufacturing, national security, and defense initiatives.

Rocket Lab’s Optical Systems division solves mission‑critical space domain and ISR challenges for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community customers, delivering scalable sensing solutions across all orbital domains.

As a Senior Systems Engineer I/II based at our Optical Systems site in Chantilly, VA, you will design, develop, and test space‑based electro‑optical sensors, applying engineering best practices to ensure mission success in pioneering space projects. You will work with a driven team tackling challenging projects, delivering on the impossible, and making an impact on the future of space.

• Design, integrate, and develop space‑based optical instruments, subsystems, and payloads for airborne and space platforms
• Define, allocate, and manage technical requirements for space systems
• Ensure traceability of requirements throughout the development process and address potential conflicts or issues
• Lead requirements definition, allocation, and traceability across the development lifecycle
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including system design descriptions, ICDs, CONOPs, and test plans
• Generate technical reports and presentations to communicate findings, progress, and recommendations to internal stakeholders and external partners
• Provide technical management of project requirements, system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance guidelines, and compliance
• Support the development and testing of space payloads to be integrated on spacecraft platforms
• Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration and functionality of exquisite payloads
• Support hardware and software development teams with system‑level test planning, debugging, integration, and execution of verification test procedures; analyze data and recommend design refinements
• Lead hardware and software V&V activities to confirm alignment with program and customer requirements
• Provide technical oversight of system architecture, interfaces, mission assurance, and compliance
• Participate in technical interchange meetings and represent the organization in project discussions
• Support the development, testing, and delivery of space payloads; assess and mitigate technical risks
• Mentor other engineers on technical topics and V&V methodologies
• Support travel or off‑site work, as needed
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in systems or aerospace engineering, or another technical discipline
• Active U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• 5+ years of engineering experience; 3+ years directly supporting development projects and 2+ years in project or team leadership
• Demonstrable experience in systems engineering, focusing on developing, testing, and integrating space…